Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Hours:
Contact hatchery
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
8077 Hatchery Rd
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
United States
Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery
Facility Type:
Hours:
Contact hatchery
Tours:
- Guided tours
- Self-guided tours
Address:
8077 Hatchery Rd
Hotchkiss, CO 81419
United States
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Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery
Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery is located about 20 miles east of Delta, Colorado, near the town of Hotchkiss. The hatchery consists of a hatchery building with a small visitor center and tank room, residences, 32 outdoor concrete raceways, 24 nursery tanks, and 6 earthen ponds. Currently, the hatchery is rearing rainbow trout for stocking in Colorado and New Mexico reservoirs and federal water developments.
Hotchkiss National Hatchery was established in 1967 as part of the Colorado River Storage Project Act. Located on 58 acres of forest surroundings on the North Fork of the Gunnison River, the hatchery's cold, clean water supply comes from the adjacent Tommy Dowell Spring.
A photo of a building at the Hotchkiss Hatchery. Photo via USFWS.
Visitors Welcome!
- Self-guided tours; staff normally on hand to answer questions
- Educational wildlife programs and tours during business hours when scheduled in advance
- Watchable Wildlife viewing area
- Hike nature trails
- Fishing derby for children (in July)
Wheelchair-accessible
Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery provides many exciting visitor opportunities and supports local communities. Visit us for a close-up view of the fish production process. With over 7,500 visitors annually, the friendly dedicated staff will normally be available to answer any questions while you explore the Visitor Center and raceways. Educational programs/tours are provided for the public and school groups during business hours when scheduled in advance. A short, wheelchair-accessible, self-guided tour is available at the hatchery as well.
Your Fishin’ Is Our Mission!
Colorado’s Fish Stocking Program
Since 1881, Colorado Parks & Wildlife fish hatcheries have been dedicated to improving the fish populations of our beautiful state. Today, CPW operates 19 hatcheries that breed, hatch, rear and stock over 90 million fish per year. Many of the fish produced are to enhance angling opportunities, while others serve a critical role in native species recovery efforts. Colorado fish hatcheries support our angling pastime, which contributes 2.4 billion dollars annually to our state's economy!